Category: Youth (Ages through 19 Years Old)

Important Title IX Info from PFLAG National

In light of Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court not to hear Gavin Grimm’s case, I wanted to share with you this especially timely note from retired university president and PFLAG National Board member Chuck Middleton.

From the desk of…

Charles R. Middleton, Ph.D.

Retired University President

Why Title IX, the federal law which prohibits sex discrimination in schools, matters to all of us

After five decades working in higher education, including 13 years as president of a private university in the third-largest city in America, there’s one thing I know: fear and lack of understanding can create an environment that compromises safety and inhibits learning. This is just one reason why Title IX protections are especially important to LGBTQ students. All students should be assured that their safety and protections against discrimination are unquestionably guaranteed.

As the country’s first openly gay male university president, I am acutely aware of what it’s like to be marginalized and discriminated against. It’s remarkable how instinctively cautious you remain on personal matters, even when there is broader acceptance in society at large, if you learn early in your life that sharing your truth has potentially bad consequences for you personally as well as professionally. Imagine the stories our children are writing today when they have to fight for basic rights and dignities that everyone else takes for granted. Their bravery in standing up for their rights is truly inspirational. Now, they need our help.

I’m so proud of the work PFLAG is doing, specifically around Title IX and ensuring that all students, parents, teachers, coaches – everyone! – understands and knows how to #ClaimYourRights on behalf of the students they care about. Whether you’re transgender, gender expansive, know a student who is, or you want to ensure that your school or university is doing the right thing, visit pflag.org/ClaimYourRights to learn about this initiative which will ensure no student ever has to choose between getting an education and their personal safety.

“Dear Megan: A Letter to My 13-Year-Old Self” by Megan Rapinoe for The Bleacher Report

Olympian and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Megan Rapinoe published a touching “Letter to My 13-Year-Old Self” on The Bleacher Report Friday, just 24 hours before her team took the field for their second match of the Olympic Games in Rio. Below is an excerpt:

“If you knew then what you know now, maybe you would have felt better about branching out on your own a little more. Maybe you would have realized that it was totally OK that you didn’t quite know how to wear the right clothes or whether you were supposed to think the boy sitting next to you in class was cute. Maybe you would have realized that you were gay. And funny. And outgoing. And one of the best soccer players around.”

“Annapolis PFLAG to Hold First Major Event” Article in the Washington Blade

The recently formed Annapolis chapter of PFLAG will hold a “Colorful Kickoff Cookout” this Sunday, August 7, 2016, which represents the chapter’s first major event. It will take place between 4 and 7 p.m. in Crofton Park, 2285 Davidsonville Rd., in Gambrills.

Though initial meetings have taken place beginning in May, the chapter was officially titled in June by PFLAG National. It joins other Maryland PFLAG chapters that have been established in Columbia, Westminster, Frederick, Chestertown, Bethesda, Bel Air and Salisbury.

“We’d really like to get to different parts of the county to show that support is available and let the community members show each other that their community is a safe and supportive one,” Alyssa Fenix, a member of the chapter’s steering committee and one of the lead organizers of the cookout, told the Blade. “This having a history of being a conservative county, the LGBTQ community here needs to know that they can access resources without having to travel to surrounding counties, and that we are dedicated to making sure everyone knows how and where they can find supports and information.”

News

Gallup: In U.S., Estimate of LGBT Population Rises to 4.5% Rise in LGBT identification mostly among millennialsLGBT identification is lower among older generations5.1% of women identify as LGBT, compared with 3.9% of men WASHINGTON, D.C. — The percentage of American adults identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) increased to 4.5% in 2017, up Read More…

Important Title IX Info from PFLAG National In light of Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court not to hear Gavin Grimm’s case, I wanted to share with you this especially timely note from retired university president and PFLAG National Board member Chuck Middleton. From the desk of… Charles R. Middleton, Ph.D. Retired University President Why Read More…

PFLAG National Statement: PFLAG National and GLSEN Relaunch #ClaimYourRights Campaign – Everything You Need to Know Today, GLSEN and PFLAG join together to re-launch our #ClaimYourRights Campaign, to help anyone affected by or witnessing anti-transgender discrimination in our schools file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Secretary DeVos Read More…

PFLAG National Statement: URGENT: Rescinding of Trans Guidance for Students We need to share some disturbing news: There is a real possibility that the life-saving Title IX nondiscrimination guidance to protect transgender students might be rescinded. We have neither commented on nor responded to rumors in the past month, but this time it’s different. This Read More…

“Vermont Leads States in LGBT Identification” Says Gallup Poll WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vermont tops a new ranking of states by the portion of adults in 2015 and 2016 who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) at 5.3%. Massachusetts (4.9%), California (4.9%), Oregon (4.9%) and Nevada (4.8%) round out the top five. 5.3% Read More…

“Resources Following the US Election Results” Blog Post by Evin C. Ziemer To anyone affected by the U.S. election result: We want you to know that you are important and loved. Together, we will not let racism, homophobia, sexism or any form of hate win. If you are hurting, here are some resources – and Read More…

“Local Families Start PFLAG Chapter” Article in the Capital Gazette The Anne Arundel County and Annapolis chapter of PFLAG, a national nonprofit organization, celebrated its launch at a picnic at Crofton Park on Sunday, August 7, 2016. The group started meeting in May 2016 and obtained its nonprofit status this summer. Read more here: http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/ph-ac-cn-pflag-annearundel-0808-20160807-story.html.

“Dear Megan: A Letter to My 13-Year-Old Self” by Megan Rapinoe for The Bleacher Report Olympian and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Megan Rapinoe published a touching “Letter to My 13-Year-Old Self” on The Bleacher Report Friday, just 24 hours before her team took the field for their second match of the Olympic Games in Rio. Read More…